Antivirus protection is an essential part of computer ownership, and thankfully there’s no need to break the bank just to stay safe online. We’ve reviewed the best free antivirus software around to show you what each of them can offer you and your computer in terms of protection.

It’s no surprise that the internet is a dangerous place. Among all of the online scams, hackers, and people trying to steal your identity, there are plenty of other things that slip by us unseen. Thankfully, antivirus software was created to stop these silent attackers and do so seamlessly in the background as we work.

This software, although beneficial, can also be costly, and most people make the mistake of thinking they surely can’t afford third-party antivirus protection for their computers. Some of us can afford buying the top models of laptop and don't think about purchasing a decent anti-virus software. In this day and age, though, there are some truly great free antivirus programs out there that offer just as much support as the costly premium products.

Finding one of these quality free versions can be hard to do, as there are literally hundreds of them online. It’s essential to choose one that’s reputable and genuine, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with our list of the best free antivirus you can download right away.

Do I Need Extra Protection For My Computer?

Most new computers you buy today come with some form of antivirus protection on them. This is usually in the form of a free trial that might last a month or two before it starts spamming you with reminder renewal notices and expensive plans. Once these free trials have dried up, you usually have some form of protection from Windows to tide you over, but this is far from extensive. With the amount of sensitive data that we share from our computers, investing in one of these free antivirus programs is an essential part of computer ownership and something you now have no excuse not to do.

What Can Antivirus Software Do?

Although the term is quite specific, there are actually quite a few functions that an antivirus program serve. Here are some things you can expect from a quality free program like the ones we have reviewed:

Regular scanning of files and directories to look for suspicious or harmful content.

Scanning specific files and directories as needed.

Gives regular updates on the health of your computer system.

Detects malicious files and programs and deletes them from the computer.

Blocks malicious URLs and other harmful content.

Searches for and removes malware, spyware, adware, and viruses.

The Best Free Antivirus Programs Out There

Antivirus programs are being released all the time, so it’s important to stay updated with the most recent ones to ensure protection. These are the best antivirus programs current in 2018(Also check our Top Ten Antivirus Recommendations From 2016), with most brands managing to stay on the list for the past few years as well. Lastly, since we are talking about FREE programs, Microsoft announced that windows user will able to Upgrade Windows 10 for FREE.

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Here's Our Full Reviews Of The Best FREE Antivirus For 2018

Avast

Consistently rated one of the top performing antivirus software options out there; it’s no surprise that Avast is on our list. The only real downfall is how well their anti-phishing component works, but on all other fronts, it performs amazingly.

Avast is one of the only companies who doesn’t reserve their best features for a paid subscription as they gladly offer it all up for free. Not only do you get their world-class antivirus protection for free, but also a password manager, network security scanner, and secure browser to us, so it’s one of the best deals around.

This is one of those antivirus programs that feel like a paid subscription, and there are no hidden fees or special features you have to unlock with payment. You really get it all with Avast and they have millions of happy customers who agree, so this is one of the better options out there for sure.

Pros

Cons

Comodo

If you’re someone who knows a little about tech and wants more control over your antivirus software package, Comodo might be right up your alley. This free antivirus program gives you some freedom during the setup stages so that you can get things just the way you like them, but it’s not for amateurs.

Comodo has quite a few layers of protection on offer, more than some of the competition. It works with real-time detection to find threats and if something is uncovered, it sends it straight to the sandbox in order to keep your computer safe. Not only that, but you can run entire programs and applications from the sandbox which means effectively you’ll never come in harm’s way again.

One huge downfall is that it won’t block suspicious URLs so you really need to be on your game every time you visit an unknown website. This aside, Comodo is a truly in-depth antivirus with plenty of room for configuration, so it’s better suited to those with in-depth knowledge of their computers.

Pros

Cons

Check Point

Check Point comes from the geniuses behind Kaspersky, but this instead is their premium free service. There are some notable features that are missing from Check Point that you find elsewhere, like the phishing protection and a lack of suspicious behavior monitoring, but otherwise, it’s a serious contender.

Check Point has exceptional firewall protection so you can feel a peace of mind when you’re using it. This is the option to go with if you don’t need a full security suite but still want some third party protection. It’s not too heavy on the features but powerful where it counts.

There are some great extras that Check Point offers which can be enticing, including 5GB of hosted online backup. This means you can keep your important documents safe without having to pay for a cloud subscription, so it’s a nice little bonus thrown in.

Pros

Cons

Panda

For those looking for some extra third-party protection on top of their Windows cover, Panda is a great lightweight option. There aren’t too many features, it’s relatively easy to run, and overall it will work in the background without you knowing.

However, according to some online reviews it has been failing in recent tests for its performance, so it’s something to keep in mind. In terms of what it could detect, it scored quite well, so this is a positive to consider, especially for those who use a lot of new files and are constantly downloading or moving things.

A huge feature of Panda is their anti-phishing protection which can’t be found on all of these free antivirus programs. It will effectively protect you from any fraudulent websites, emails, or anything else that tries to steal your personal information. For those who want the basics and don’t need a lot of heavy features, Panda is ideal.

Pros

Cons

Sophos Home

When you’re not computer savvy and want to just trust the software you’re running to do the job, Sophos Home might be for you. There’s minimal configuration possible so keep this in mind if you like some control, however, what it does offer is more than enough for antivirus protection.

What makes Sophos Home such a cool alternative is its remote management capabilities which can normally only be found in paid subscriptions. It’s fairly simple to use and check results so anyone in the family can do it, but the lack of a quick scan feature tends to hurt its usefulness.

Another downfall is that their testing labs are rarely checking on Sophos Home so updates are few and far between. This software would better suit those after something lightweight that they can perform once a day and be done with it.

Pros

Cons

Adaware

Adaware had a complete overhaul of their image and company, and their latest antivirus software definitely looks better than it ever has. It’s seemingly up to date with all of the new threats and has great updates, so for those who want reliable scans, this is a great choice.

Where it tends to fail is the detection itself, as reports found that the previous version actually did a better job of detecting threats. We hope that they’re able to rectify this because it seems a shame to let such a solid anti-virus software be pulled down because of something we know they’re able to do expertly.

Adaware has made an effort to go lighter with this version and we think it worked in their favor. No longer does it feel bulky or full of complicated features that you’ll never use. For a trusted name and simple interface, this is an antivirus software that won’t disappoint.

Pros

Cons

Avira

For those who take their antivirus software seriously, you want to choose the program that gets the highest testing scores. Avira is exactly that, as it never seems to let us down in terms of performance and detection.

There are some downfalls though, so you do need to weigh up the good with the bad. Their full scan takes up a lot of time so you’ll have to be patient. Their anti phishing cover isn’t up to scratch. But these are things you would be happy to look over considering how well it performed otherwise.

Avira only works with Google Chrome and Firefox so Internet Explorer users will need to make the switch. This in itself might turn some people off, but with the results that it scored, we think it might be a worthwhile change to reap the benefits.

Pros

Cons

AVG

Another of the biggest names in free antivirus software hasn’t disappointed in our review, and AVG is still a favorite among many. As one of the most customizable antivirus programs around you get complete control to adapt it to the needs of your computer so that it can work as efficiently as possible.

AVG doesn’t have a quick scan option so don’t use it expecting any fast results. But one full scan a day will do a very thorough job, as long as you have the patience to wait for it. There aren’t too many features either, which could be a pro or con depending on who you’re talking to.

The key to AVG’s success is simplicity, and they’ve managed to maintain this simplicity through all of its different versions. There are some cool extras like an inbuilt file shredder and extra malware detection, but other than that it’s light on features and heavy on protection.

Pros

Cons

Kaspersky

Kaspersky is known as one of the leaders in antivirus protection, but not everyone can afford their standard suite. That’s why they created Kaspersky Free, a basic offering of their services that will serve you very well if you’re looking for a free software program.

Kaspersky comes with everything you’d expect from an anti-virus package, but with some amazing lab results. Their biggest benefit was the improved anti-phishing cover which keeps your details safe from fraudulent activity, and this nifty feature isn’t offered in all of these packages so it’s good to see.

There are some other notable mentions that Kaspersky offers including their USB protection and process monitor. In addition to showing great results with detection, these extra features make it one of the better choices out there for anti-virus software.

Pros

Cons

An Essential Part of Digital Living

For anyone who owns a computer, there’s no good reason why you should be without antivirus protection. These free programs offer just as much support as a premium service and they cost nothing to use, so it’s an essential product that you shouldn’t live without.

There are so many hidden dangers online and when we expose so much of ourselves and our personal information on the internet we need to know it’s protected. Using one of these antivirus programs will give you and your computer immediate protection and keep your sensitive data safe.

There are over 30 million different species of animal alive today on planet Earth, and although most of them have adapted to or overcome difficulties in their environment, there are still those that have not. We’re here to look at the amazingly rare animals that are close to extinction and what, if anything, we can do to help them.

With millions of amazing species of animals on earth, we can easily forget about the ones that we aren’t constantly exposed to. The Holocene extinction or sixth extinction is the one that we are currently experiencing on Earth, and it includes a number of rare animals. These are just some of the amazing animals that are near the brink of extinction, that scientists are hopeful we can bring back for good.

#18: Pinta Island Tortoise

Image: CC BY 2.0, Vince Smith, via flckr

These large turtles were native to Ecuador and it was thought that an elderly tortoise by the name of Lonesome George was the last of his kind. When he died off it was a tragic event, but thankfully they found a group of young tortoises who appear to be a hybrid of the Pinta Island variety. As the Pinta tortoises used to be kept on ships as forms of livestock, when they didn’t have any use for them they would be dumped in the sea, and for these lucky tortoises, they were what remained of an almost lost species.

#17: Amur Leopard

This leopard subspecies is native to southeastern Russia and extremely beautiful in its spots and markings. Sadly, these beautiful markings meant that they’ve been hunted into near extinction and the only way to save them is a dedicated conservation approach and an absolute ban on hunting the unique creatures. It’s believed there are only 20 leopards left in the world today, so the situation is quite dire.

#16: Vaquita

Image: Public Domain U.S, Paula Olson, via Wikimedia

These special family members of the porpoise can be found in waters around the Atlantic coast of the US and Canada. People hunt these whales for their oil and their relatively simple production process which makes them an easy target. With only 350 believed to be left in the oceans today, it’s imperative that the hunting of these gorgeous mammals ceases, and that’s exactly what they hope to achieve with the protected status that it’s earned.

#15: Mountain Gorilla

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0, Rod Waddington, via flckr

The mountain gorilla is one animal that’s been hunted due to its aggressive nature, with people who come into contact with it believing that it poses some harm. The subspecies of the eastern gorilla is now critically endangered and likely to lose more due to habitat loss and poaching. There are only around 300 mountain gorillas left in the world and unfortunately, they are not yet a protected species which makes them a very popular target for poachers.

#14: Spix’s Macaw

Image: CC0 Creative Commons, AngieToh, via Pixabay

This Brazilian bird is certainly colorful and beautiful, but it can sadly only be found in zoos these days. Some reports claim they’ve seen the beautiful bird out and about in Brazil but the sighting seems to be getting rarer. Their primary tree has been deforested but there are current preservation attempts occurring, which we’re hoping are successful for this bright bird.

#13: Salt Creek Tiger Beetle

Yes, beetles can become extinct too and the Salt Creek Tiger Beetle is native to the US. Thankfully, this is one species that is actually making a rebound. There are perseveration and conservation efforts in place of its natural environment which certainly seems to be doing the job. Hopefully, we can take note of what worked here and try to mimic it for some of the other animals on the list.

#12: Pika

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0, Shanthanu Bhardwaj, via flckr

This cute little hamster looking animal is sadly very close to extinction. A close cousin of the rabbit, this short, round mammal is found in the mountainous countries of Asia but can also be found in North America. According to the experts, the pika has many different subspecies that are now entirely extinct but there are still some living which they are working at keeping alive for years to come. Some believe that the pika is what the famous Pokemon character Pikachu was based on, so it would be a real shame to lose such a beautiful animal and cultural icon.

#11: Bornean Orangutan

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0, Eric Kilby, via flckr

It’s no surprise that many subspecies of orangutan are nearing extinction, but the Bornean mammals are facing some of the most serious threats. Just as the name suggests, these orangutans are found on the island of Borneo and are part of the only genus of great apes that are native to this area. The population of orangutans overall has decreased by about 50% in the wild which is a truly shocking figure to hear.

#10: Sumatran Rhinoceros

Image: CC BY 2.0, Jean, via flckr

Also known as the hairy rhinoceros, this amazing animal is very close to being extinct for good. The last sighting in the wild was in 2016 which just highlights how many are left in the world. Efforts were made years ago to preserve the species through captivity but of the 40 that they kept none of them had successful breeding efforts and most died off over 20 years, and so they let the rest of them go free.

#9: Giant Otter

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0, Bernard DUPONT, via flckr

We’ve all seen cute little otters before and marveled at how much fun they seem to have in the water with their friends, but did you know there is a Giant Otter that’s in danger of extinction? The giant otter is a South American otter that can grow up to over five feet in size which is a lot more impressive than other subspecies that we know.

#8: Darwin’s Fox

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0, Fernando Bórquez Bórquez, via flckr

These adorable foxes are in fear of extinction due to their currently small numbers, as they’re only known to have two populations on earth. Darwin’s fox was named after Charles Darwin who discovered the species and it is one of the smallest species of fox. There is thought to be only 250 of the foxes alive on Chloe Island with another 70 or so living on the mainland, which is critically low.

#7: Black-Footed Ferret

Image: CC BY 2.0, USFWS Mountain-Prairie, via flckr

The incredibly cute black-footed ferret is another animal that faces extinction due to its very small and restricted range and populations. They are known as one of the most endangered species in all of Northern America and it’s believed there are just 300 left on the planet. There have been many efforts made to preserve the species but most have been unsuccessful.

#6: Manis

Image: CC BY 2.0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, via flckr

This is a species of the pangolin and is considered some of the most extinct animals on the planet. The scaly little animals that can curl up in a ball are certainly unique, but sadly they are being lost. There are eight different species of pangolin and all are protected thankfully, but the man is the most critically endangered. As one of the rarest looking animals we have, we truly hope that the conservation efforts work for this amazing species.

#5: Peruvian Spider Monkey

Also known as the black-faced spider monkey, this amazing creature is native to Peru and also Brazil and Bolivia. This animal received its endangered classification in 2014 and since then there have been numerous efforts to try and bring its numbers back up. These monkeys are known to live in large groups of 35 and it’s rare to see them on their own, making them very social animals indeed.

#4: White Rumped Vulture

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0, Lip Kee, via flckr

Although vultures are known for preying on other animals, that doesn’t mean they aren’t an important part of the ecosystem. The white-rumped vulture is native to South and Southeast Asia and has been considered as critically endangered since 2000. In the 1980s, this was was one of the most abundant birds of prey in the world with numbers reaching the millions, however, this has dropped significantly today.

#3: Saola

Image: Public Domain, Vassil, via Wikimedia

This incredibly rare mammal is also known as the Asian unicorn and its beauty is unlike any other animals. They are one of the most recent animals discovered and also one of the most endangered, so conservation efforts are at an all-time high for this special beast. Scientists who have categorically document saolas in the wild found that there were only four to date.

#2: Javan Rhinoceros

The Javan rhino is now officially extinct in Vietnam which means the efforts for its conservation are at critical levels. These large animals were hunted to extinction many years ago but managed to be saved thanks to conservation efforts. There are currently around 60 of the subspecies of rhino in a park in Java, Indonesia with serious care being taken to preserve them.

Image: CC BY 2.0. Dhruvaraj S, via flckr

#1: Rhinoceros

The rhino as a whole is an endangered species, with two of its subspecies the Javan and Sumatran, being critically endangered. The reason for such huge numbers of extinction is because of the poaching of its horn, making them now a protected species.

Twitter has been a game changer in the way we communicate, namely with how our favorite celebrities communicate with us. This thriving social media platform has given the stars a chance to prove their wit, and so we’re counting down some of their funniest tweets of recent times.

We usually admire our celebrities for superficial reasons. Perhaps we saw them walking the red carpet and loved their outfit or we follow their Instagram page and drooled over how good they looked. It turns out they’re actually more than that, and their tweets have proven that not only can they act and sing, but they also have what it takes to make us laugh.

#15: Chrissy Teigen

This won’t be Teigen’s only entry on our list, as the model and wife of John Legend have a track record of making the Twitterverse laugh. In response to a tweet from President Donald Trump who stated “We must keep ‘evil’ out of our country!” she snapped back, “What time should we call your Uber?” Chrissy is known for her famous clapbacks and one of her favorite targets seems to be the President, which of course is eaten up by all of her fans.

#14: Ryan Reynolds

It turns out that Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool character isn’t too far from reality when it comes to their dark sense of humor, and fans love reading what the talented actor has to say on his Twitter. Discussing everything from fatherhood to marriage, one of his most loved tweets of all time was in relation to his child and the undying love that a father has. “I’d walk through fire for my daughter. Well not FIRE, because it’s dangerous. But a super humid room. But not too humid, because my hair.” It’s refreshing to see someone not take themselves so seriously, especially in the world of Hollywood.

#13: Anna Kendrick

Image: CC BY 2.0, David Shankbone, via flckr

Sometimes the best tweets from celebrities come during trending topics on the social media site. Often, a topic or hashtag will start trending, urging people to give short (and hilarious) responses. No stranger to making people laugh in the Twitterverse, beloved actress Anna Kendrick had a great answer to a recent trending topic #3wordsbetterthaniloveyou. Her response was something we could all agree with: “Comes with fries”. Although we kind of doubt that Ms. Kendrick loves the fries as much as we do when you look at her enviable Hollywood figure.

#12: Christina Applegate

Celebrities love to use Twitter to prove they can be relatable, and that even though they’re big-time Hollywood royalty they still experience the everyday emotions that us normal folk do. Star of Anchorman and Married With Children, Christina Applegate, described an emoji that we’d certainly start using if only Apple made it available to us. “Is there an emoji for crying in the fetal position whilst eating pizza? Asking for a friend.” Perhaps the phone companies could take note and start adding some of these emojis that would really help us convey our feelings easier.

#11: Camila Cabello

Somehow the trend of drinking coconut water slowly crept up on us, and before we knew it celebrities and normal people alike were touting its amazing health benefits. That was until we saw how much it cost for a dollar. It seems we aren’t the only ones shocked at the exuberant prices that we’re meant to pay for a simple drink, as singer Camila Cabella has noticed too. “For a bottle of coconut water to cost 5 dollars it better give me wings and solve all of my emotional problems.” If a celebrity thinks something costs too much then you can be guaranteed that us non-famous types certainly can’t afford it.

#10: J.K Rowling

Another beloved celebrity known for her clapbacks is J.K Rowling, the talented author of our favorite Harry Potter books. Rowling doesn’t suffer fools gladly on Twitter and will often take time to craft a witty and short response to anyone who dares try her. One troll replied to an article about her and stated, “Glad I caught this article on yahoo. I will now burn your books and movies.” Although she could have easily just ignored it, there’d really be no fun in that. Rowling tweeted back, “Well, the fumes from the DVDs might be toxic and I’ve still got your money, so by all means borrow my lighter.”

#9: Dylan and Cole Sprouse

You might remember them from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or play Ross’ son on Friends, but their presence on Twitter is what makes the Sprouse brothers so memorable. Whether they’re taking jabs at each other or playing around with fans online, you can always count on them to provide some quality tweets. A recent question from Cole to Dylan asked, “Where you Zack or Cody?” to which Dylan responded, “I don’t’ remember actually. I was too busy carrying the show on my back.”

#8: Chris Pratt

He can make us laugh doing just about anything, and the star of Guardians of the Galaxy and Parks and Recreation, Chris Pratt, certainly knows how to get a laugh on Twitter. He shared some words of historic wisdom with us recently when he tweeted about a beloved former president. “If it weren’t for the cowardly actions of John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln would have turned 207 today.” Really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

#7: Mindy Kaling

She made us laugh on The Office and The Mindy Project, so what else would we expect from Mindy Kaling on Twitter? With one of the funniest accounts of all time, fans regularly check in with the actress to see what she’s saying. Mindy proved that she’s really one of us when she shared some wisdom about music, and we definitely agree with her. “’feat. Sean Paul’ are my three favorite words in the English language.”

#6: Ryan Reynolds

Another great tweet from Ryan Reynolds poked fun at how uptight those in the celebrity world of LA can be, especially when it comes to their diets. “People in LA are deathly afraid of gluten. I swear to god, you could rob a liquor store in this city with a bagel.” It’s good to know we can always look to the Deadpool 2 star to put a funny spin on everything.

#5: Shaq

Turns out that Shaq can do a lot more than just play basketball, and he’s actually pretty legendary in the Twitterverse. Whether he’s making fun of himself or starting trouble with other celebrities, we love that he takes us all along for the ride. “Dear Ashton Kutcher yo momma so old the key on ben franklins kite, was to her apartment. Respond if yur not scared.” We don’t know about you, but the lack of grammar and spelling seems to make this one even better.

#4: Kristen Schaal

Funny lady Kristen Schaal doesn’t disappoint when she’s on Twitter, and she’s known for making some amazing observations about life that we can all relate to. A recent tweet read, “One gift I give myself is fully believing that sweet potato fries are a health food.” We might be guilty of doing the same, but now that we know other people do, it makes it all okay.

#3: Olivia Munn

Sometimes celebrities say things that we’re all thinking, but thanks to their worldwide platform it’s usually easier to get the message across. Olivia Munn seemed a little shocked by the news of a recent Liam Neeson film, and we have to say we agree with her on this one. “I would never say Liam Neeson is a bad parent. But Taken 3? THREE?? Maybe it’s time to get a nanny.”

#2: Tommy Chong

You can always rely on Cheech and Chong to bring the topic of conversation back to illegal activities, and that’s exactly what Tommy Chong does on his Twitter account regularly. “The recommended age to have a Ouija Board is 8+ years old. So, pot is still illegal but you can be 8 and summon the devil.” We never thought of it like that, but we’d also recommend never combining the two illicit activities together.

#1: Whitney Cummings

When you’re a triple threat comedian, actress, and producer, you better be sure that your Twitter account lives up to the hype. Luckily for Whitney Cummings, she’s just as funny on her Twitter as she is one screen, making clever observations about the world for us all to enjoy. “Before you marry a person you should make them use a computer with slow internet to see who they truly are.” We’re not sure that even we would pass this test, but it would be a good challenge all the same.

We review what’s on offer in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, and what makes this game such an instant classic. From new character reveals to new game modes, we look at everything this title has to offer and how the gaming crossover blends comic book characters with video game favorites superbly.

Our in-depth review of the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 game and what you can expect from this classic fighting game.

The very first time we saw the worlds of Capcom and Marvel collide was in 1996 on an arcade game titled X-Men vs Street Fighter. Even if you were too young to play it in a real arcade, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of it before, and it was this iconic game that sparked a complete series of amazing titles that mix the best of two worlds.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3: New Age of Heroes is the fifth game in this series of fighting and superhero crossovers that mix our favorite characters from the Marvel universe with some action legends from Capcom.

And it’s got everything on offer that people love about the high-intensity series.

Released in 2011, this game was the very first of its kind to make the move into 3D territory, with previous Capcom/Marvel titles only ever offering 2D. True to form, it managed to excite gamers everywhere with its usual high-intensity fight scenes and all of your favorite characters, which makes it such a popular game even to this day.

This review of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will look at exactly what makes this game so great, and how it differed from those before it and the ones that would come after. For those who love their superheroes and classic arcade fighting games, this is a classic title that will surely go down with legendary status.

The Story Behind the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 Game

When we saw the very first mix of Capcom and Marvel in the 1996 X-Men vs. Street Fighter, we really had no idea what would come of it. Rather than having an array of Marvel stars, we were only able to fight with the X-Men but did so in the style of Street Fighter, so it made gamers and comic books fans intensely happy.

Over the years, more and more Marvel characters were added to the roster. Our favorites including Hulk, Captain America, and Spider-Man were all there to be found, and when you add to them other Capcom characters like Akuma, Chun-Li, and Ryu, it made for a truly spectacular fighting experience.

These games were initially released for arcade systems only but then moved over to the Sega Saturn. From there, more titles were made with advancements to the stories, characters, and gameplay, and then more and more consoles were able to host the games as well.

Pros

CONS

Vast improvement in graphics

Gameplay is a little bit boring

Quality

PRICE

RATING

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Who Is the Game Suitable For?

For those who have never played any of the Marvel vs. Capcom games, you might be wondering who they’re suitable for. The game is rated M for violence and online interactivity, so it’s best to keep younger kids away when you’re playing.

The main concerns with this game are the violence and somewhat provocative outfits that the female characters wear. However, there’s no visible blood and most of the fight scenes seem more comical than anything, so it’s not as if the game is overtly graphic.

What Consoles Can You Play the Game On?

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles in 2011. Since then, there has also been a PC version available. The original Marvel and Capcom games were made for arcade use only and then transported to Sega, however, these were never released as arcade versions.

During the initial release, some versions came with additional features like a comic book, subscription to Marvel Comics, and other downloadable content. These versions were more expensive and considered special edition, although they were still popular with fans of Marvel.

How to Get the Game

For those looking to get the game today, you can find it still available for both consoles and the PC version. However, depending on what system you want to play on and what condition you are shopping for, you may have different needs.

There are still new and unopened versions of the game available otherwise you can buy a pre-owned game. These are available for both PlayStation 3, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox 360, with some gaming stores still selling them or a wide selection online.

The Characters of the Game

One of the most important things that people consider when investing in a game like this is what characters are available to play with. Compared to the previous versions, there have been some changes to who you can play with from both the Marvel and Capcom universes, and here are some of the more popular faces that you can expect to see.

Marvel

Captain America

Deadpool

Doctor Doom

Hulk

Iron Man

She-Hulk

Spiderman

Thor

Wolverine

Capcom

Akuma

Arthur

Dante

Felicia

Jill Valentine

Mike Haggar

Ryu

Tron Bonne

Zero

This list is by no means extensive, and what each character is capable of has also changed. Players are able to have more control over their attack and defense, and there are a number of special moves that have been improved or added.

What Changes the Game Has Made

Just prior to releasing the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, there was a Marvel vs. Capcom 3 game made. One of the main things that changed since the previous version was the capabilities of the characters. Also, with new ones being added that brings the tally up to almost 50. Other changes included new stages, game modes, and online functionality.

Some notable changes that we saw came from Akuma who had his health decreased but additional hits added, Captain America has the strength of some of his attacks decreased, and Deadpool can cancel special attacks with a teleport. Although they might sound minor, when you consider each character’s new and improved fighting styles, it definitely makes a difference.

New stages have also been added since the last release of Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Some of the stages include Days of Future Past which is a newer version of Metro City and the S.H.I.E.L.D Air Show. In total there are nine new stages which you can play. So you have quite a bit more variety to this version.

The new game modes are also notable. The most popular ones being Heroes and Heralds mode. This allows players to equip their characters with three different cards that can completely change their attributes, including dizzying attacks and invisibility.

How Does the Gameplay Rate?

In this game, a player selects three characters to be on their team in an attempt to knock out the others by engaging in combat. The original game offered this 3-on-3 approach which was a favorite with players, so it’s nice to see it return.

Some of the game modes could be a little better. Moreover, instead of adding the new modes, they could have given these some more depth. The same could be said for the features, as what’s included seems light for a full feature version. And more like something you’d play on a demo.

However, these things aside, it’s truly a fantastic game with bright graphics and high action the entire time. All of the favorite characters are there from both worlds and you can have fun whether you’re playing against friends or on your own.

The characters themselves seem to have a lot more depth which means their fighting styles are more detailed. And you have options for how they can engage in combat. You now have 48 characters to choose from. They include downloadable ones like Jill Valentine, so there’s no shortage of choice when it comes time to play.

The Graphics, Sound, and Display

The best thing about this game is its vibrant graphics. These are evident no matter what platform you play on. The whole game has quite a cartoonish vibe to it. Which means even though it has an M rating there’s not much reality to the violence. And it can feel more like a glorified cartoon or comic book if you really think about it.

The sounds and music of each level are classic arcade style. And if you close your eyes you can convince yourself that you’re back in a gaming arcade somewhere and not playing from the comfort of your own home. These little touches show us why Capcom will always be the action gaming heroes in our eyes.

For those playing on the PlayStation Vita, you’ll be very pleased with just how well the game is handled. You might expect to lose something when transferring to this console. However, it is almost as good in terms of quality and sound, so you don’t have anything to fear.

What Could Have Been Better About This Game: Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

Fans had grievances to air about the last Marvel vs. Capcom 3 game, and it seems that although some of these were fixed they weren’t all. The game modes are still incredibly light but instead of fixing this they simply added more. So the problem seems to have been handled the wrong way.

When this game was released we were at the height of online gameplay. However, it doesn’t appear to address it the way it should. If you’re someone who prefers online play to solo or playing in real time with others. Then you probably won’t be too impressed by the lack of options.

For those fans who already bought the last Marvel vs. Capcom 3 title and are wondering whether it’s worth the extra money to upgrade to this. And that will be a personal decision. While there are certainly more characters, new stages, and some additional moves added in, largely it still feels like the same game. If you haven’t bought the last version though, we can definitely recommend this one for a lot of fun.

What to Play Once You’re Done With the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

As we mentioned earlier, the Marvel and Capcom crossovers are necessarily a new thing. If you’ve played the games leading up to this one like X-Men vs Streetfighter or Marvel vs. Capcom 1 or 2, then you’re ready to move onto greater things.

Following this title, there have been a few other releases that kind of follow the same format. Only newer and improved. Marvel vs. Capcom Origins and Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite which was just released in 2017 have enjoyed similar reviews, and anyone who’s enjoyed the rest of the series will surely be impressed.

There are also standalone games that you can try from Capcom like Street Fighter and Resident Evil. Or those that just center on the Marvel universe. For fans of the superhero genre you probably already have a few in your game library. However, some popular titles include The Avengers game and the recent Lego Marvel Super Heroes.

The Final Verdict: Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

Even if you’ve never played any of the previous Marvel vs. Capcom games, we’re certain you’ll still get a lot of enjoyment out of this title. Those who love Capcom games will see their favorite characters and fans of Marvel will be able to play as their beloved superheroes.

There’s a whole lot more to this version than the previous ones. Although it’s lacking a little with the online components, the rest of the game is solid. The special effects are bright and intense and it’s a very high energy game, so if you’re into that sort of thing then it’s definitely one to consider.

For those who really love the game, there are plenty more out there to try that feature the crossover between Marvel and Capcom, and we have to say they’re all pretty entertaining. Whether you have an Xbox, PC, or PlayStation you’ll be able to enjoy this blast from the not so distant past. And fight in various levels with your favorite action book heroes of all time.

When it comes to movies, there is nothing like a great tear-jerker but when that tear-jerker is tinged with a sense of victory, it quickly becomes one of the all-time best movies, no matter what the genre. Now add sports into the mix and you have a blockbuster. There is just something about a victorious hero or heroine that overcomes all odds that touches the hearts of moviegoers and remains there forever. Here are the top five sports movies of all time.

1) Rocky

Okay, so it may not be your personal favorite but based on box office sales and the number of sequels, Rocky will surely be at least in the top 10 for years to come. Still shown on satellite networks around the world, this story is the epitome of everything viewers want, romance, drama, sports, victory – you name it. Starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, this is one for the history books.

2) Bull Durham

Kevin Costner starred in this romantic drama about a catcher from the minor leagues who is considered to be ‘aging’ and the movie revolves around how he slowly begins to lose his place of glory in the sport. With Susan Sarandon, another star who is a favorite among moviegoers, this one is packed with great dialogue that will keep this among the best sellers of all times as well.

3) The Natural

Ok, what can be said about a movie that stars hunky Robert Redford in his oh-so handsome younger days? Although he was considered ‘aging’ in the movie, he still looked great to fans and perhaps why this movie along with Rocky saw more female viewers than all other top sports movies. With two of the nation’s leading male ‘sex symbols’ of their day, is it any wonder? This one movie is still shown on major cable and satellite networks and continues to be a rental favorite in the sports genre.

4) Caddyshack

Most of the top sports movies are either tear-jerking dramas or romances interwoven into the plot but not Caddyshack. The only tears you will shed will be from uncontrollable laughter as three classic comics star in this irreverent look at golf. Starring Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase, it was sure to be a blockbuster and it is still going strong more than 30 years down the road.

5) Major League

Perhaps it’s not the actual movie itself that landed this in the top 5 but rather the assembled cast of actors in the film. Just take a look at the all-star cast including Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Renee Russo and Tom Berenger and you’ll see why fans loved this film.

It is really not fair to try to name five of the top sports films of all time because there have been so many. However, when there is that ‘something extra’ like a blend of comedy or overcoming defeat at all odds, it makes for a memorable script that will live on in the hearts of viewers. And after all, if it takes a man away from his recliner and a major league game on the tube, it must be great. Right?